US4151847A - Devices for removing brussels sprouts from their stalks - Google Patents

Devices for removing brussels sprouts from their stalks Download PDF

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Publication number
US4151847A
US4151847A US05/780,442 US78044277A US4151847A US 4151847 A US4151847 A US 4151847A US 78044277 A US78044277 A US 78044277A US 4151847 A US4151847 A US 4151847A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
feed path
annular member
knife
cutting
pull
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
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US05/780,442
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English (en)
Inventor
Jan A. van Donkelaar
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
DONKELAAR JAN A VAN
Mali Ploeger BV
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Individual
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Assigned to MALI-PLOEGER B.V., OUD GASTEL reassignment MALI-PLOEGER B.V., OUD GASTEL ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: VAN DONKELAAR, JAN ADRIANUS
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23N—MACHINES OR APPARATUS FOR TREATING HARVESTED FRUIT, VEGETABLES OR FLOWER BULBS IN BULK, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PEELING VEGETABLES OR FRUIT IN BULK; APPARATUS FOR PREPARING ANIMAL FEEDING- STUFFS
    • A23N15/00—Machines or apparatus for other treatment of fruits or vegetables for human purposes; Machines or apparatus for topping or skinning flower bulbs
    • A23N15/01—Machines or apparatus for other treatment of fruits or vegetables for human purposes; Machines or apparatus for topping or skinning flower bulbs for stripping Brussels' sprouts from stalks

Definitions

  • the invention relates to devices for removing attached parts from the stalk of a plant, such as Brussels sprouts, comprising separation means, consisting of an annular member having an opening the centerline of which substantially coincides with the desired transport trajectory of the plants, and of a number of cutting members which are provided with knives and which are pivotally connected to the annular member in such a way that they can move in a plane perpendicular to the centerline, while the cutting edges of the knives lay substantially along a cylindrical plane, concentrically with the annular member, and of means for pulling the successive stalks through the opening of the annular member.
  • Such a device is commonly knowledge and similar devices are suited for advanced automation, which not only reduce the expenses, but also augment the safety in using these devices. In general it is far to dangerous to introduce plants into such a device by hand.
  • the object of the invention is to provide a device which is particularly useful for removing Brussels sprouts from a stalk with a minimum of manual labor.
  • a first step in the direction of the final object is achieved with a device, of in which the means of pulling the plants through the device, consists of a cylindrical shaped pulling member substantially concentric to the annular member mentioned above, and which can be moved in an axial direction between a first, front position in between the knives and a second rear position far behind the annular member.
  • the separation means consist of an annular supporting member, which in operation rotates around its centerline, and of a number of bell crank levers pivotally connected to the supporting member, with each bell crank lever having one leg which lies tangentially to the surface of the support member and a second arm which carries a knife, such that from each bell crank lever during rotation the tangentially orientated arm points forwardly and as a result of the centrifugal force moves outwardly while consequently the second arm together with the knife moves inwardly towards the centerline.
  • the invention also includes an annular auxiliar member, which is concentrically disposed inside the supporting member, the second arm of each bell crank lever being connected to this auxiliary member by means of a tenon and mortise joint. Also provided are brake means which can act on the auxiliary member to obtain a relative displacement of the auxiliary member with respect to the driven supporting member, such that consequently the arms with the knife will move outwardly.
  • the pull means consist of a cylindrical part with an outer diameter which is less than the diameter of the cylindrical opening of the separation member and inside the cylindrical part means are included to catch the bottom part of a stalk. So the pulling means can partly pass through the center of the separation member. With this device it is no longer needed to introduce the plants by hand. This augments the safety of the device.
  • the catch means consist of a conical hole, inside the cylindrical part of the pull means narrowing toward the end. One or more ridges are provided on the inside surface of the hole pointing inwardly. An ejection peg can be placed in the center of the cylindrical part.
  • the device can also be equiped with guide means for guiding a plant into the pull means.
  • the guide means consist, in a prefered embodiment, of a funnel shaped member, composed of two halves of a funnel of which each half can be moved on either side of the annular member in a direction between an angle of 20° and 90° with the centerline of the annular member.
  • the guide means may include a movable push co-operating with a moving belt.
  • the plants are introduced automatically into the pull means.
  • the flap is attached to a piston-rod, which is attached to a tube of rectangular cross-section and which slides in a second tube also of rectangular cross-section.
  • the second tube pivots upon a spindle which is perpendicular to the axis of the second tube, while the spindle is connected to a framework so that the push will not revolve about the axis of the piston rod.
  • annular intermediate supporting member is fixed to the supporting member and an annular intermediate auxiliar member is fixed to the auxiliar member, while the bell crank levers are pivotally connected to the intermediate supporting member as well as to the intermediate auxiliar member, so the front part of the separation means can easily be replaced.
  • each knife has the form of a dagger-knife, one side of the blade being a flat plane. The cutting edge of the knife is in this plane.
  • each knife is divided into two parts. Each part has one flat side with each flat side being substantially parallel to each other. If the tip of the knife is closer to the centerline of the device than, due to the small friction surface, the stalk of the plant will be hollowed better. If the tip part of the knife is farther away from the centerline of the device than the other parts and if both part of the blade of the knife have a cutting edge, it is possible to cut of the sprout from the tail with the first edge and to cut of the tail from the stalk with the second cutting edge of the knife.
  • FIG. 1 is a top perspective of one embodiment of the entire device
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 are front elevational detailed views of separation means used in the invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a partial top perspective view of pull means in the invention.
  • FIGS. 5 and 7 are side sectional views of separation means together with pull means
  • FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of brake means in the invention.
  • FIGS. 8 to 14 are views of multiple embodiments of the knoves in the invention.
  • FIG. 1 shows a view of a device according to the invention.
  • the device is composed of two upright plates 2a, 2b near the extremities of a frame 1.
  • two bars 5a and 5b are connected between the two plates 2a and 2b, in this way forming an imaginary guide surface or plane 5.
  • a moving belt 6 is placed to move each plant along a feed path.
  • the moving belt 6 runs over two rollers 7.
  • the bearings of the front roller are each placed in a protecting box 8.
  • the moving belt 6 is driven by means of an electric motor 10, a driving belt 11 and a wheel 9, fixed on the axis of one of the rollers.
  • the electric motor is bolted on a supporting plate 12, which is welded to the frame 1.
  • Upright metal sheets 13a and 13b are provided above and situated on both sides of the moving belt 6. These are needed to guide the plants.
  • the moving belt 6 is shielded by means of a protecting cover 14. To show more details, one of the metal sheets 13b and one of the protecting covers 14 are only partly shown.
  • the guide means to guide plants along the feed path and into the separation means consist of push means 15 co-operating with the moving belt 6.
  • the push means 15 consist of a frame 16 and a movable pusher member or flap 17.
  • the pusher member or flap 17 is attached to a piston-rod placed inside a tube 18 of a rectangular shape, and slidably into a second tube 19 also of rectangular section and in which is placed an air cylinder. The whole is fixed to the upper part of the frame 16 by means of an axis or pivot hinge.
  • Means consisting of an element 20 blowing out an air-current and an element 21 as a receiver of the aircurrent are mounted near by the end of the moving belt 6. The moment the air-current is interrupted by a plant, the receiver element 21 emits a signal, which commands the push means.
  • Guide means being two halves of a funnel 22a and 22b, are placed just behind the two elements 20 and 21.
  • Each half funnel 22a and 22b is fixed on the extremity of a piston-rod 23 of an air-cylinder 24.
  • Each air-cylinder 24 is mounted on a support 25, which is fixed to the frame by means of a knee 26. Actuation of cylinders 24 move funnel halves 22a, 22b in a direction having a vector perpendicular to the feed path and at an angle of from 20° to 90° from the feed path or center line.
  • a separation member is placed inside a casing 27 behind the moving belt 6.
  • the separation member is driven by first drive means in the form of an electric motor 28 placed on top of the casing 27.
  • the guide surface or plane 5 serves to support pull means, consisting of a carriage 29.
  • the framework of the carriage consists of two longitudinal runners 30 on both sides of the moving belt 6.
  • Two axles 31 with guide wheels 32 are placed near both extremities of the carriage 29.
  • a cylindrical pull member like a tube 34, is mounted on the far end of the carriage 29 and on an upright plate 33. This pull member serves to pull the bottom end of a stalk through the separation means.
  • the pull means or stalk pulling means include a drive for moving the carriage 29 in the direction of the arrows in FIG. 1.
  • two conveyors 35 and 36 can be placed underneath the frame 1, as shown in FIG. 1, two conveyors 35 and 36 can be placed.
  • One of the conveyors 35 is placed underneath the separation member to convey the cut sprouts and leaves.
  • a shaking conveyor should be used to separate the sprouts from the leaves.
  • the second conveyor 36 is used to transport the stalks.
  • a stopblock 38 is mounted on a support 37 which is mounted on the upright plate 2b at the near end of the frame 1, to reduce the shock of the carriage when it is stopped.
  • FIG. 2 shows the separation means rotating in the direction of the arrow 39.
  • the separation means consist of an annular supporting member 40, with four bellcrank levers pivotally connected to it.
  • Each bell crank lever pivots around an axis of shaft 42 and consists of a first arm 43 which extends generally parallel to a tangent to the annular member 40 and directed forwardly when rotating, and a second arm 44 directed inwardly, and a third arm 45, extending as the arm 43 but in the backwards direction.
  • An auxiliary member 46 lays coaxially inside the supporting member 40.
  • the second arm 44 of each bell crank lever is connected to the auxiliar member 46 by means of a tenon and mortise joint.
  • the knives 49 each with a cutting edge are placed nearly at the end of the second arms 44 so that they move in a circular path concentric with the feed path.
  • FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the device in FIG. 2; the moment that brakes in the invention work on the auxiliary member 46.
  • Pull means are placed between the knives 49 in a center opening of the auxiliar member 46. From the pull means are shown stalk holding means in the form of the conical hole 50, which narrows towards the end and two ridges 51 pointing inwardly, and erected on the inner surface of the conical hole. See FIG. 5 for a side view.
  • FIG. 4 shows an enlarged detail of the device, viz. the stalk pulling means or pull means.
  • the far or downstream end of frame 1 is shown and the upright plate 2b is shown with the two sockets 3 and 4 affixed.
  • the carriage 29 is placed on the two bars 5a, 5b which are fixed into the sockets 3 and 4.
  • tube 34 Between the longitudinal runners 30 and on the upright plate 33 is placed tube 34.
  • the cylindrical part 52 with the conical hole 50 and the ridges 51 is mounted.
  • On the tube is erected a ridge or flange 53 and just behind this is a toothed wheel 54 which is fixed on the tube.
  • the toothed wheel 54 is in constant contact with a second toothed wheel or gear 55, which can pivot along a certain distance by means of an air-cylinder 56.
  • the cylinder 56 is connected to the plate 33 by means of elbow 57 and the axis or pivot point 58.
  • the piston-rod 59 is pivotally connected to the second toothed wheel 55.
  • a switch 61 is fixed on the plate 33 behind the tube 34.
  • Wheels 32 on their axles 31 are connected to the plate 33 by means of supporting block 62.
  • Retainer brackets 63 prevent the carriage from jumping off the guide surface 5 comprising bars 5a and 5b.
  • An adjusting screw 64 is fixed on the support 37 and co-operates with an ejection pin 70 (FIG. 5)
  • FIG. 5 gives more in detail the separation means, the pull means and partly the guide means.
  • the separation member consists of the supporting member 40 which is driven by a rope or v-belt 65.
  • Brake means 66 can act on the auxiliar member 46 and comprise opening means for increasing the diameter of the circular path along which the cutting edges of the knives 42 move.
  • the tube 34 can be introduced into the opening when the brake means 66 act on the auxiliar member 46.
  • the pull means consist of the tube 34 with the cylindrical part 52 having the conical hole 50 inside with the ridges 51.
  • the tube 34 can move forwardly and backwardly within a sleeve 67 fixed to the plate 33.
  • a spring 69 in a hole 68 in the tube serves to keep the tube in the forward most or upstream position.
  • an ejection pin 70 which can co-operate with the screw 64 to eject stalks out of the conical part 52.
  • a spring 71 together with the nuts 72, 73 keeps the ejection pin 70 in the preferred or downstream position.
  • the pin 70 has at the other side a conical part 74.
  • the air cylinder 56 is here fixed to the plate 33 by means of an element 75 and a bolt 76. Partly shown is one of the half funnels 22a and the casing 27.
  • the switch 61 here consists of a pin 77 and a spring 78. Behind the pin is placed a relay 79.
  • the supporting member is placed in a bearing 80.
  • a pin 81 fixes the distance the tube 34 can enter into the separation means.
  • FIG. 6 shows partly the back side of the separation means.
  • Two brake shoes 82 act on the auxiliary member 46.
  • An air cylinder 83 with a piston 84 on both sides can press the brake shoes on the auxiliar member by means of th levers 85, 86.
  • the levers pivot about the axes 87, 88.
  • FIG. 7 shows an other embodiment of the separation means.
  • An annular intermediate supporting member 89 is bolted with bolts 90 to the supporting member 40.
  • an annular intermediate auxiliar member 91 is fixed on the auxiliar member 46 by means of bolts 92.
  • the bell crank levers are intermediate members 89 and 91. In this embodiment it is easy to replace the separation means, by replacing the intermediate members 89, 91 together with the bell crank levers.
  • FIG. 7 also shows an other embodiment of the pull means.
  • the tube 34 has a cylindrical hole 93, in which is placed a piston 94 with a head 95.
  • a packing gland 96 has been pinched inside the hole 93 in which the piston 94 can move freely forward and backward.
  • the piston 94 is fixed to the plate 33 by means of a nut 97.
  • An ejection pin 98 with on the outside a screw thread 99 is placed a hole with screw thread 99 in the center of te piston 94.
  • Three different embodiments of the knives 49 are shown in the FIGS. 8 to 14.
  • the first knife has the form of a dagger-knife with a blade 100 and a base 101 in which there is two holes 102 to affix the knife.
  • FIG. 9 shows a side view of the knife towards the cutting edge 103 of the knife.
  • FIG. 10, 11 and 12 shows an other possible embodiment of a knife. Near the tip of the knife there is a flat plane 104, with an edge 105 parallel to said plane 104. In the base 106 are also two holes 107.
  • FIGS. 13 and 14 is shown an knife with a blade 109 and a base 108.
  • the part 110 of the blade is more backwards than the rest part 111 of the blade. Both parts have an edge 112 respectively 113.
  • the plants are placed on the moving belt 6 with the bottom part of the stalk pointing forwards.
  • the receiver 21 emits a signal which activate the pushing member pusher together with the moving belt will press the plant through the funnel parts 22a, 22b into the cylindrical part 52.
  • the switch 61 is pressed against the relay 79, which activates the toothed wheels 55, 54. By turning it around in the right way the bottom of the stalk is pinched into the cylindrical part 52.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Polymers & Plastics (AREA)
  • Cultivation Of Plants (AREA)
US05/780,442 1976-03-31 1977-03-23 Devices for removing brussels sprouts from their stalks Expired - Lifetime US4151847A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL7603365 1976-03-31
NL7603365A NL7603365A (nl) 1976-03-31 1976-03-31 Inrichting voor het op veilige wijze verwijderen van spruitjes van een spruitkoolplant.

Publications (1)

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US4151847A true US4151847A (en) 1979-05-01

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ID=19825921

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US05/780,442 Expired - Lifetime US4151847A (en) 1976-03-31 1977-03-23 Devices for removing brussels sprouts from their stalks

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US4151847A (fr)
BE (1) BE852786A (fr)
DE (1) DE2713119A1 (fr)
FR (1) FR2345947A1 (fr)
GB (1) GB1549098A (fr)
NL (1) NL7603365A (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4353378A (en) * 1980-09-17 1982-10-12 Sperry Corporation Tobacco stalk guide assist
US4537014A (en) * 1981-05-07 1985-08-27 Robert Bosch Gmbh Packaging machine
US4843682A (en) * 1986-12-05 1989-07-04 Bowen David G Poultry deboner
US20180077866A1 (en) * 2016-09-22 2018-03-22 Mosman Machinery Company, Inc. Harvesting device

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2637455B1 (fr) * 1988-10-06 1991-05-24 Durand Atel Const Meca Lucien Outil de coupe, systeme de coupe a outils radiaux et tete de coupe pour machine a elaguer les sarments de vigne

Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US686071A (en) * 1900-09-13 1901-11-05 American Card Feeder Company Feeding mechanism for carding-machines.
US1978133A (en) * 1932-10-28 1934-10-23 Hatch Robert Oral Beet topper
US2363152A (en) * 1943-06-23 1944-11-21 Wagner Electric Corp Automatic brake adjusting means
US2787273A (en) * 1955-05-13 1957-04-02 Fmc Corp Green corn cutting machine
US3106265A (en) * 1961-03-07 1963-10-08 Gen Electric Drum brake mechanism
US3175561A (en) * 1962-11-06 1965-03-30 Gen Foods Corp Method and apparatus for stripping brussels sprouts
US3252463A (en) * 1964-09-17 1966-05-24 Ralph Moceo Cutter for brussels sprouts
US3259135A (en) * 1962-11-22 1966-07-05 Prince Edward Island Frosted F Harvesting apparatus
US3486187A (en) * 1969-01-21 1969-12-30 Prince Mfg Co Deboning method
US3490506A (en) * 1966-11-22 1970-01-20 Gen Foods Corp Cauliflower stem trimming machine
US3509886A (en) * 1967-01-26 1970-05-05 Wilhelmus H J Janssen Device for removing brussels sprouts from the plant
US4022220A (en) * 1975-01-28 1977-05-10 Alkemade Antonius J C Cutter head for a machine for picking sprouts

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1010593A (en) * 1961-09-01 1965-11-24 Unilever Ltd Method and machine for treating vegetable plants
GB1103791A (en) * 1965-03-18 1968-02-21 Gen Foods Corp Vegetable stripping method and apparatus
NL155441B (nl) * 1971-01-12 1978-01-16 Jan Adrianus Van Donkelaar Inrichting voor het van een spruitkoolplant verwijderen van spruitjes.

Patent Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US686071A (en) * 1900-09-13 1901-11-05 American Card Feeder Company Feeding mechanism for carding-machines.
US1978133A (en) * 1932-10-28 1934-10-23 Hatch Robert Oral Beet topper
US2363152A (en) * 1943-06-23 1944-11-21 Wagner Electric Corp Automatic brake adjusting means
US2787273A (en) * 1955-05-13 1957-04-02 Fmc Corp Green corn cutting machine
US3106265A (en) * 1961-03-07 1963-10-08 Gen Electric Drum brake mechanism
US3175561A (en) * 1962-11-06 1965-03-30 Gen Foods Corp Method and apparatus for stripping brussels sprouts
US3259135A (en) * 1962-11-22 1966-07-05 Prince Edward Island Frosted F Harvesting apparatus
US3252463A (en) * 1964-09-17 1966-05-24 Ralph Moceo Cutter for brussels sprouts
US3490506A (en) * 1966-11-22 1970-01-20 Gen Foods Corp Cauliflower stem trimming machine
US3509886A (en) * 1967-01-26 1970-05-05 Wilhelmus H J Janssen Device for removing brussels sprouts from the plant
US3486187A (en) * 1969-01-21 1969-12-30 Prince Mfg Co Deboning method
US4022220A (en) * 1975-01-28 1977-05-10 Alkemade Antonius J C Cutter head for a machine for picking sprouts

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4353378A (en) * 1980-09-17 1982-10-12 Sperry Corporation Tobacco stalk guide assist
US4537014A (en) * 1981-05-07 1985-08-27 Robert Bosch Gmbh Packaging machine
US4843682A (en) * 1986-12-05 1989-07-04 Bowen David G Poultry deboner
US20180077866A1 (en) * 2016-09-22 2018-03-22 Mosman Machinery Company, Inc. Harvesting device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BE852786A (nl) 1977-07-18
FR2345947A1 (fr) 1977-10-28
FR2345947B1 (fr) 1981-12-31
NL7603365A (nl) 1977-10-04
GB1549098A (en) 1979-08-01
DE2713119A1 (de) 1977-10-13

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AS Assignment

Owner name: MALI-PLOEGER B.V., OUD GASTEL

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:VAN DONKELAAR, JAN ADRIANUS;REEL/FRAME:005281/0680

Effective date: 19890228